ALAN PARDEW has high hopes that the draw at Aston Villa which extended Newcastle United's unbeaten start to the season will be followed by a double boost on the injury front this week.

Pardew confirmed French forward Hatem Ben Arfa will return to first team action in tomorrow night's Carling Cup test at Nottingham Forest after spending the weekend at the training ground working towards his comeback.

But he also revealed his big August signing from Inter Milan, Davide Santon, could be fit to be involved in Saturday's visit of Blackburn to St James' Park.

With Pardew also expecting in-form Leon Best to recover from a knock he sustained at Villa Park, the Newcastle boss is optimistic about having more options available to him within his squad soon.

And Ben Arfa has looked ready to make his mark after spending the weekend going through extra training in preparation for his return to action at the City Ground.

“Hatem is looking forward to it and he looks sharp in training,” said Pardew. “He will be knocking on the door and it looks like this team has goals already, so it will be nice to have him with us again.”

Ben Arfa's return will increase the competition for places in the final third, with Shola Ameobi already finding his place is under threat when he fails to find top gear.

Best's third of the season at Villa arrived in a partnership with summer signing Demba Ba, who was preferred to Ameobi after a disappointing performance at Queens Park Rangers a week ago.

Ameobi said: “I was disappointed to get injured after the Sunderland win. I'm never going to moan when a player comes in and does well for the team.

“I just have to work hard to show the manager I'm worth a place. I'm going to work hard and try to get my place back. No one deserves to be playing, you have to earn that. I'm certainly no different.”

Ameobi was full of praise for Best, though, who turns 25 today. He said: "He's just grown in confidence, that's what scoring goals does for you, especially strikers.

“When he first joined us he found it difficult to adjust. Experience is a big thing and he's continued to grow. You can see that this season. He's leading the line well and getting goals. It can only be good for the team.”

Whoever does play at Forest, the team will not include Santon.

The Italian defender has been assessed and Pardew has been encouraged by the state of the knee injury sustained in training last Thursday.

“Davide has had fluid taken from his knee,” he revealed. “Fingers crossed that will be OK. Maybe he will be available for next weekend.

“If that doesn't cure the problem, he could need an operation where they will tidy it up. But it is not cartilage, so that's good.”